Amidst lockdown, moving towards the structure of online education and e-learning in the pandemic of Covid19 is no doubt one of the biggest educational reforms in the history of the Indian education system that would have a huge impact on teaching methodologies and assessment criteria for students.
But what we seem to be moving towards is a hybrid model of learning, a mix of online and offline. While in-campus teaching will definitely return and there will also be a wealth of options available online, for those who prefer it. But considering online education as a replacement for live classroom learning would not be correct to say because both have their unique characteristics that make them worthwhile. However, when it comes to the topic of one over the other, maybe everyone will learn to use both together but the truth is that online education can never really replace or substitute an experience of classroom learning.
The Environment of Classroom learning
Classroom learning is not only about textbook learning and lectures in class, it’s about the holistic experience of living on campus, it’s about making lifelong friends and communicating with people from diverse parts of the world, it’s about sociability and adaptability that teaches you to be independent, as you move away from the comfort of your home. It carries off the ability of students to engage, come together, discuss and create bonds with one another.
Online education also carries off another important side of classroom learning that the opportunity to explore new interests and learn new skills by joining societies and clubs. Students cannot really participate in programs or events such as competitions, performances, and fairs that allow them to explore new fields, and develop other facets of their personalities by just sitting at home.
Not accessible for everyone
It’s absolute fact that online education has changed the education world, with platforms like Coursera and EdX enabling those living in remote parts of the world to access college/ school courses. But, clearly, one thing to remember is that online education is not a fundamentally easy concept.
To learn anything that is being taught effectively presupposes that one has the means and technology needed to access it like high speed & stable internet, a well-functioning laptop, and an empty room to sit for ninety minutes at a time without any disturbance or disruptions. If one cannot pay for a good Wi-Fi connection or lives in a situation where they cannot get a private and undisturbed area for themselves then these preconditions are both extremely exclusive, highly discriminatory, and online education can be a challenge. Only those people can truly make the best of online education who have the proper and accessible ecosystems.
The Social Constraints
Outside of financial constraints, there also exist social constraints that students from across the world may have to deal with. Classroom learning is essential as a place to facilitate learning and one that creates an environment where students can focus and learn. Because it offers a proper platform where everyone has access to the same services, structures, and resources including Wi-Fi connections, study spaces, books and libraries, and also one-on-one interactions with professors.
The format of online education brings financial and social disadvantages as well significantly less prominent and is also grave to discount when considering the future of education.
Classroom learning and the Online Education
Online education cannot really replace classroom learning as its very essence or nature not completely real because the teachers are real, students are real, the material is real but the atmosphere, however, is not real whereas the classroom is the real, tangible, touchable place to teach and to learn and that is why online education cannot substitute classroom learning.
Teacher to student, student to teacher, and student to student interactions are all part of the learning experience. The format of classroom learning is the platform where teachers encourage students to engage with or take participation from the whole class and spread the ideas and thoughts raised by students. These interactions cannot be substituted in online education.
Benefits of Online Education:
- It gives flexibility both in terms of saving time and money.
- It provides access to the updated content.
- E-learning leads to better retention.
- Lectures Can Be accessible any number of times in case you miss it.
- Online education is scalable and consistent.
Benefits of Classroom Learning:
- Students can ask their doubts in the classroom and clarify them at the same time.
- Classroom lessons will not be interrupted because of connectivity.
- Lively environment of classrooms creates regularity in studies.
- Students learn the discipline of punctuality and understand their responsibility in the class apart from concepts.
- Students learn to live in a mixed environment of the classroom.
The classroom’s learning is not just about subjects and topics, instead, it is an overall education that teaches lessons for life to students. There is no doubt that online education has improved the standard of teaching and education but it is still incapable to create the kind of environment that supposed to be in a live classroom.
Online education has developed a key contribution to educating students all over but it should not be considered as a substitute for conventional live classroom learning as both modes of education are variable and successful in their own purpose.
Therefore the future of education, must be a healthy mix of online and offline as well but cannot really replaceable or substituted one way or other.
